Getting the jump on deers

THE number of complaints received about deer in local areas has prompted the installation of new warning signs throughout the region.

Deer warning signs will be erected in 20 different locations around Wollongong, including Mount Ousley Stanwell Tops, Stanwell Park and Helensburgh in the near future, following recent concerns about driver safety these areas.

The local Pest Animal Advisory Group recommended the signs as an initial response to the growing number of feral deer in the area, but Pest Animal Advisory Group member and Wollongong City Council Environmental Protection Manager Martin Parmenter said the signs wont necessarily make people more cautious in problem areas.

"You have speed signs but people still speed," he said.

Mr Parmenter said the signs are more for visitors than local residents, who are likely to already know where deer may stray onto the road.

He said the signs were a short term answer to the problem, and the Pest Animal Advisory Group will be looking into other ways of dealing with the issue, with culling and raising awareness to be continued.

The group plan to release details of a strategy to deal with feral animals in December.

Mr Parmenter said the fact that people were hitting deer on local roads made the control of the deer population a serious issue.

According to the Pest Animal Advisory Group deer can be drawn into heavily populated areas through their attraction to creeks and cover.

The first of the 20 signs was erected on O'Brien's Road, Figtree late last week.